Friday, December 16

Rumorville

“Starting today, players acquired over the summer can be dealt. [Marc] Jackson fits that criterion. The Nets are in the market for an athletic big man. They likely will pursue Stromile Swift, … and Reggie Evans, and perhaps Dan Gadzuric.”

Jackson is a uniquely talented big man who made the 1st team All-Rookie his first year out. Since then he’s bounced around the league a bit, but had arguably his finest season last year in Philly, averaging 12 points and 5 boards a game. In my mind, he’s really not that different from the Potato, except that he makes an extra $1.5 mil a year. I don’t expect the Sonics to pursue him, since the majority of his points come from the outside, and the Sonics already have enough soft big men who can’t score down low.

“General Manager John Nash said in a perfect world the Blazers would be able to trade one of their small forwards for a power forward who can shoot, a player similar to Seattle's Vladimir Radmanovic.”

When you hear John Nash talk about trading a small forward, that’s code for Ruben Patterson. Obviously, the Sonics aren’t going after Ruben anytime soon, so that would mean the Blazers would be giving up someone along the lines ofViktor Khryapa. I don’t like that move because, well, his name’s too hard to spell.

18 comments:

You'd get use to spelling Vik's name. He's the type of european the Sonics need i.e. he doesn't complain like a french soldier. Besides, I don't think Vik is getting traded, though Travis Outlaw might be on the block. Either way, I hope it doesn't happen. The Blazers need a PF that can rebound, not shoot.

Yeah, if Seattle Supersonics GM were to deal Vladimir Radmanovic and Reggie Evans to the New Jersey Nets for Marc Jackson, it would probably cause me to break something; Jackson, as has been mentioned, is the American version of Vitaly Potapenko.

As it is, though, Radmanovic, Evans, and Ronald Murray should not be traded, for they have expiring contracts.

At any rate, however, the 'sonics need a tough, team-oriented, talented small forward -- unlike the vastly overrated Rashard lewis -- who can defend any NBA superstar, while simultaneously holding his weight as the number two scoring option alongside Ray Allen—with my top choices being either Ron Artest or, of course, Paul Pierce

Artest and the Sonics would be a disaster, though you could say that for almost every team in the league. Who's going to keep him in check? Weiss? Jesus Shuttleworth? On the other hand, maybe he could teach Fortson how to manhandle people on the court AND get away with it.

Just to follow up on the Jackson/Potato comparison, I ran their numbers for 2005 (Jackson) and 2004 (Potato) to see how they stack up (I used '04 for Potato since he wasn't that healthy last season).

The main edges per 48 minutes for Jackson are:

1. More FTA2. More PPG (+8)3. Better foul shooter

For Potato:

1. More blocks2. Fewer turnovers

Obviously, Jackson got more touches, which led to his higher ppg, although he does get credit for a better PW% (player win %).

Still, after looking at the numbers more closely, Jackson will only give Seattle a bit more on the offensive end, which will be offset by his slightly inferior defense to Potato (if that's possible). No, there's just no reason for the Sonics to take a flyer on Jackson if they've already got the Ukranian version at a better price.

I forgot about Johan. Sorry. How about "he doesn't complain like an Algerian seperatist." That should get you guys back on the good side of the French. BTW, of course Hubie would praise Napoleon's upside. I'm pretty sure Hubie is his godfather, or as the french call them parrain.

You guys seen all the stuff about New York wanting Rashard? Well Isaiah, its gonna take more than Penny and Nate Robinson to do that. The one thing to keep in mind here though, is that an unprotected NY draft pick could be very valuable...

If this trade were to happen, then Vladimir Radmanovic would start at small forward, with Damien Wilkins as his backup. The only problem with this, however, is that Radmanovic needs to prove himself—which seems like a stretch to me.

Rad-man has had one foot out the door since he signed the tender. No need to invest any more time there.

Frye is untouchable. He's the only good thing the Knicks have going for them. The last thing Larry Brown wants is another shooter who doesn't play defense. Fortson and LB together? At first I laugh, but then realize he got Rasheed working for him, so who knows.

Yeah, I realize that Channing Frye has supposedly been deemed untouchable by New York Knicks President Isiah Thomas; yet, Seattle Supersonics GM Rick Sund should only trade Rashard Lewis if the team gets either a superstar small forward or a solid center in return for him.

At any rate, though, I would nix a trade wherein the 'sonics send Lewis and Danny Fortson to the New York Knicks for Anfernee Hardaway, Nate Robinson ($1,102,680), Trevor Ariza ($641,748), and a 2006 NBA first-round draft pick [via the San Antonio Spurs]*, because it doesn't solve any of the team's aforementioned needs; besides, that notwithstanding, I'm not sold on Nate Robinson as a solid NBA point guard.

*If this trade were to occur, then Rick Brunson would be released to make room on the roster.